We have completed our passive house project in Lakeview, which consists of a 150 square foot addition to the second floor, bathroom and bedroom remodel, and overhaul of the west facade. Over the last 100 years the existing house received several disjointed additions and subtractions. Our clients, an extended family of five, had been sharing a way-too-small bathroom for the better part of a decade and needed an extra bedroom and more efficient space. Instead of simply adding space over the existing one-story kitchen to accommodate the new third bedroom and bathroom, our solution incorporated a previous ‘appendage’ addition into the design scheme while also taking into account solar orientation and passive design strategies. The design scheme intentionally demarcates from the existing faux-Victorian aesthetic to provide a more sustainable and relevant design methodology. Photos and details inside.
The existing rear entry vestibule (which provides access to the basement) was extended up and received a new roof to match the new roof line of the second floor addition. The second floor roof and 3′ overhangs were designed so the summer sun would be shaded while allowing it to passively heat the bedrooms in the winter. The window openings also allow for hot air to rise in the space and exhaust out of operable transoms, while still maximizing glazing for views to the west. The exterior walls received 5″ of spray foam insulation with rigid insulation at the exterior to prevent thermal bridging. The roof was sprayed with 8″ of closed cell insulation resulting in an effective insulation value of R-48. The siding is a recycled wood composite material with metal corner caps (to avoid those ugly trim boards). All new interior and exterior lighting are LED fixtures.
